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A Saxon webloghourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.23Alaric Albertsson

Alaric embraced polytheism in the summer of 1971, and has never looked back! Over the past four decades his personal spiritual practice has developed as a synthesis of Anglo-Saxon tradition, country beliefs, herbal studies and rune lore. For Alaric, a reverence for the earth and respect for ancestral and indigenous spirits are fundamental defining qualities of Pagan religion.
During the 70's, living in the Ozark mountains, Alaric had the opportunity to talk with rural people with traditional customs - moon lore, weather lore, healing superstitions - passed on for generations. During this time he was also influenced by spiritist traditions. He eventually moved to Kansas City, where he served as Vice President and on the Board of Directors for the Heartland Spiritual Alliance during the 1990's. In 2001, on the day of the winter solstice, Alaric left the Midwest and moved to Pennsylvania, where he currently resides.
Alaric and his husband Scott co-founded the Saxon inhíred Earendel in 2003. Like all inhírdas, Earendel is an extended family and not open to the public, but its members strive to foster a greater public awareness and appreciation of Pagan Saxon traditions in southwestern Pennsylvania. As an author, speaker and drýmann, Alaric himself travels around the United States giving presentations and classes throughout the year.

BOOKS BY ALARIC ALBERTSSON

TRAVELS THROUGH MIDDLE EARTH: The Path of a Saxon Pagan

Within the pages of this book Alaric reveals the beliefs of the early English (Anglo-Saxon) people and shows how these are reflected in his own spiritual practice.
Learn how to develop a fulfilling relationship with the Old Gods, with your ancestors and with the spirits that live in the world around you. A few of the book's topics include:

How Saxon beliefs and concepts are coded into the English language.

The concept of "wyrd" and how it shapes our destiny.

How to make mead.

The skills of the Saxon druid.

Rites of Passage in the life of a Saxon Pagan.

Travels Through Middle Earth is a reflection of Alaric's own spiritual practice. Anyone with an interest in earth-spirituality is sure to enjoy it.

"This book is a thorough and enjoyable voyage into the heart of modern Anglo-Saxon spirituality.
With his breezy style and quick wit, the author displays a practical approach to this religion that is both fascinating and informative.
I heartily recommend this book to everyone, particularly folks new to this path!"- Rev. Kirk S. Thomas, ADF Archdruid

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WYRDWORKING: The Path of a Saxon Sorcerer

Once again Alaric uncovers the practices and customs of the Anglo-Saxons hidden in early charms and English folk traditions.
Travels Through Middle Earth explored how to connect with the Saxon gods and spirits. Now Wyrdworking will teach you everything you need to know to practice Saxon sorcery. Topics include:

Everything you need and don't need to begin your work as a Saxon sorcerer.

Discover the mysteries and magic of all 33 Old English runes.

Learn to design effective spells through the use of galdor.

Interested in herbology? Wyrdworking will show you how to get started.

Brew potions, craft charms and work spells to improve your life and the lives of your loved ones.

Magic is not a path for everyone, but if you feel a calling for this ancient art then this is the book you need!

"Without denying the modern world and other occult traditions, (Alaric) remains true to the culture and traditions of
the Saxons and clearly demonstrates how we can follow this path of magick."- Christopher Penczak (The Mystic Foundation, The Plant Spirit Familiar)

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"OUT OF PRINT"

TO WALK A PAGAN PATH: Practical Spirituality for Every Day

You've read about Pagan religion and magic. You've participated in rituals and worked a few spells.
Now learn how to live as a Pagan, every day of the year! Alaric Albertsson's newest book on Pagan spirituality will show you how to:

Connect with the earth by growing a portion of your own food - even if you live in the city!

Bake bread, churn butter and make jam.

Construct a sun wheel, a corn doll or a scrying mirror.

Make your own ritual candles, incense and magical potpourri.

No matter who you are, no matter where you live, To Walk a Pagan Path is filled with ideas to express your spirituality throughout the year!

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ANTHOLOGIES WITH ALARIC ALBERTSSON

PAGANISM 101

A different kind of introduction to Paganism, this book was written by 101 Pagans from diverse paths.
Alaric wrote the primary article in the Heathen chapter, but each chapter includes several authors to give a wider point of view.
Paganism 101 will give you a deeper appreciation for the variety of expression found in our communities.

Section One looks at "who we are": Druids, Heathens, Wiccans and more.

Section Two explores Pagan beliefs about the deities, nature, ethics and the afterlife.

"Paganism is an umbrella term covering a rich profusion of traditions, attitudes, experiences and beliefs.
What better way to reflect that reality within one book than to get so many good writers to represent it?"- Professor Ronald Hutton

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THE GREEN LOVERS

Author and editor Christopher Penczak assembles a collection of people sharing their love of plants and plant spirit magic.
Alaric contributed two pieces to this wonderful anthology. In 'Rosemary for Remembrance', Alaric discusses the uses and lore of his favorite herb.
Later in the book, in 'Herb Magic and the Doctrine of Signatures', he shows how easy it is to incorporate sympathetic magic into one's work with herbs.
Other authors in the anthology include Raven Grimassi (The Mandrake), Ann Moura (Rosemary and Wood Betony: Protectress and Prankster) and Christopher Penczak himself
(The Magic of Lemon Balm), among many others.

"Plants, while perhaps not invested in ego persona, do have different sides, and reveal them under different circumstances.
Some are like business associates. Some are good friends, and some are even like lovers."- Christopher Penczak

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WITCHCRAFT TODAY - 60 Years On

Six decades have passed since Gerald Gardner published Witchcraft Today in 1954. This book showcases some of the many witchcraft traditions that have evolved since then.
Alaric's contribution is the chapter on the Seax Wica tradition. The book also has chapters about the Dianic tradition, the Alexandrian tradition, Eclectic Wicca and much more.

Contributors to this anthology include Philip Heselton (Wiccan Roots: Gerald Gardner and the Modern Witchcraft Revival), Hearth Moon Rising (Invoking Animal Magic: A Guide for the Pagan Priestess),
Rachel Patterson (Grimoire of a Kitchen Witch), David Salisbury (The Deep Heart of Witchcraft) and others, in addition to Alaric.

"Sixty years after the publication of Witchcraft Today, we have seen Gerald Gardner's vision grow and evolve as it spreads around the globe.
Witchcraft Today - 60 Years On is a fitting tribute, bringing together authors from different paths within the Craft, each with a unique contribution
and insight to inspire those who are practicing, teaching and strengthening Wicca today and for the generations to come."- Dr. Vivianne Crowley

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AND CHECK OUT ALARIC ALBERTSSON'S FICTION

Influenced by authors like Huxley (Brave New World), Heinlein (Stranger in a Strange Land) and Foster (Nor Crystal Tears),
Alaric enjoys speculative fiction that explores what it means to be human. Visit the Otherworlds of Alaric Albertsson website and learn more about his novels.

I have been asked again about the reversed meanings of runes, interpretations when the runes pulled are upside down.Â I think this notion originated with Tarot readings, although even with Tarot reversed meanings are a later adaptation.Â Assigning reversed meanings to the runes is demonstrably erroneous.Â First, none of the Rune Poems give any “reversed meanings”.Â The very idea reminds me of those old rumors of how you would supposedly hear Satanic messages if you played Stairway to Heaven backwards.Â Like that song, playing the Rune Poems backwards will only produce garbled mush.Â There’s no hidden meaning.Â Each rune (a word meaning mystery or secret) is exactly what it is.

As evidence of this, notice that more than a third of the Anglo-Saxon runes (Gyfu, Hagol, Nied, Is, Gear, Ãoh, Sigel, Ing, DÃ¦g and Ior) appear EXACTLY THE SAME whether they are upright or upside down.Â It is literally impossible to tell if any of those runes are reversed unless the card, chip or stone is marked in some way to show which way is “up”.Â If the runes were each intended to have a positive and negative interpretation they would all clearly have a top side and a bottom side.

We are fortunate to still have the runic mysteries (in the Old English Rune Poem for the Anglo-Saxon FuÃ¾orc; the Norse and Icelandic Rune Poems for the Younger FuÃ¾ark).Â Adding contrived “reversed” interpretations changes any serious study of the runes into a modern perspective only peripherally related to rune lore.